Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu: here's how Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of the country

As we gear up to ring in the festivities, the fervour of Sankranti is all around us. Here's looking at how the harvest festival is celebrated in different parts of the country.

Happy Sankranti&nbsp

With as diverse a nation as ours, every second month is festivities galore. Whether it’s Ganesh Chaturthi or Diwali, we come together to bring in happier times amidst our family and friends. With Sankranti upon us, people have been gathering on rooftops to fly kites and binge eat on Til Ke Ladoo. While we gear up to wake up early in the morning to seek blessings from Mother Earth and Almighty before getting on with the festivities, the rest of the day is all about celebrating and dancing. Ahead of the festivities, here's looking at how the festival is celebrated in different parts of the country.

Apart from the multiple kite flying festivals, the state rings in the festival with joy and fervour and sumptuous food. Marking the end of the winter solstice, people spend of the festival on the rooftops battling it out in the kite festivals. Kai Po Che!

We still remember the exuberant and vibrant celebration of Lohri in Yash Chopra's Veer Zaara. The festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of rabi crops. Also known as Maghi, the word Lohri is derived from the word ‘loh’ which means light and warmth which is symbolic to the lighting of the bonfire. With dancing to Dulha Batti, the festival is celebrated by singing and indulging in the delicacies.

In Tamil Nadu, Pongal is a four-day celebration dedicated to Mother Earth, Lord Surya and his consorts. The main event occurs on the second day, Thai Pongal, where a flat square pitch is constructed in the middle of the field or backyard exposing it to direct sunlight. A cooking pot is placed over the fireplace allowing the Sakkarai Pongal (sweet Pongal) to cook and overflow. The tradition primarily includes cooking of the Pongal and allowing it to overflow. The reason behind the overflowing is to allow prosperity to overflow in the house and a plea to the Sun god. (Also Read: Ahead of the celebrations, here's the shubh mahurat and tithi for Makar Sankranti 2019)

The chief festival in Assam, Bhogali or Magh Bihu; the celebrations last for a week with indulging in various palette pleasers and the bonfire. The youth engage in erecting makeshift huts, known as Meju and Bhelaghar. It's in these huts that everybody gathers to enjoy the meal together and eventually burn the hut the next day. That’s not all, the celebrations continue with the making of Assam cakes made of rice and sweets made of coconut called Laru.

Happy Sankranti!

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Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu: here's how Sankranti is celebrated in different parts of the countryDescription:As we gear up to ring in the festivities, the fervour of Sankranti is all around us. Here's looking at how the harvest festival is celebrated in different parts of the country. Times Now